I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

Haha. I just figured it must happen all the time in the precheck line. I guess we look starving or something.

Well there you go. I still don't have Precheck (or Global Entry), so I line up with the plebs. I have all these cards that offer credits for it, but I keep putting it off. SMH.

 

[Alexle2007]

Just a small complaint...I had to attend a meeting at another federal agency today (who have their own building) and I was going through their security when the metal detector went off. The guard made me take off my strappy heels to go through again. So demoralizing! I said to the group I was meeting with I don't even have to take off my shoes to go through security at the airport thanks to TSA pre-check. I wish I could have shown it along with my federal badge.

 

[amalone1013]

Well there you go. I still don't have Precheck (or Global Entry), so I line up with the plebs. I have all these cards that offer credits for it, but I keep putting it off. SMH.

You make me feel better that I haven't either...

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm pretty tempted to do Portofino - just looks like a nice property, and relaxing. It is slightly more expensive for our dates, but not a huge difference. Looking forward to the Hogwarts Express - definitely going to do the p2p tix.

I also need to figure out where to eat. I think on the day we are in the parks I'm going to try to do both the Leaky Cauldron and the Three Broomsticks (one for bfast, the other for a late lunch, probably). I'm guessing the food there won't be all that great, so I'm hoping for a really good (but still kid friendly) meal on Friday night.

While I haven’t stayed we pool hopped to Portofino, they really did a nice job with the atmosphere of that hotel! ...all this Universal talk is making me want to go back!

 

[WVMomof3]

Just spent 2 hours at the dentist and am now $600 closer to my MSR on the SPG Biz. I think I am only $200 away at this point. I always worry it will be a stretch to meet these things and here I will finish before my 2 month mark.

 

[Haley R]

I'm pretty tempted to do Portofino - just looks like a nice property, and relaxing. It is slightly more expensive for our dates, but not a huge difference. Looking forward to the Hogwarts Express - definitely going to do the p2p tix.

I also need to figure out where to eat. I think on the day we are in the parks I'm going to try to do both the Leaky Cauldron and the Three Broomsticks (one for bfast, the other for a late lunch, probably). I'm guessing the food there won't be all that great, so I'm hoping for a really good (but still kid friendly) meal on Friday night.

I’ve never stayed at portifino but it looks awesome. We stayed at royal pacific and it was just okay. The hotel itself has good theming but our hallway felt like we were in a basement. The boat to the parks is nice and the express pass will be a must, especially since you are only doing one day.

We ate at both Harry Potter restaurants because we did a universal package for our honeymoon. We ate breakfast at both and Dh and I both thought the leaky cauldron was a lot better.

 

[striker1064]

Has anybody successfully talked a Barclays rep into overturning a denial? I've tried a couple times and I had the exact same experience as you. I think the ones I've read that called and got approved didn't actually have decisions already made, their apps were still pending.

The only successful Barclays call I've ever had was when they called me for a pending app. Just some questions, then approval. I've never overturned a Barclays denial.

Come to think of it, I've never overturned a denial period. Either I'm terrible at it or I'm insanely not what these banks are looking for (probably the latter).

Oh I HOPE they try to do that to me. I'd love to turn that around on them and ask them why they'd want to purposefully and condescendingly drive business away when they have someone who is interested in doing business with them.

As a churner I totes applaud this gumption but to be honest it's not hard to see why these banks don't really want our business. Barclays does seem particularly protective of their products though, and it does seem unusual that it can be so difficult to even get one (you'd think they'd be fairly willing to extend one card, even if it's only one, to get you in their ecosystem).

 

[WVMomof3]

I'm pretty tempted to do Portofino - just looks like a nice property, and relaxing. It is slightly more expensive for our dates, but not a huge difference. Looking forward to the Hogwarts Express - definitely going to do the p2p tix.

I also need to figure out where to eat. I think on the day we are in the parks I'm going to try to do both the Leaky Cauldron and the Three Broomsticks (one for bfast, the other for a late lunch, probably). I'm guessing the food there won't be all that great, so I'm hoping for a really good (but still kid friendly) meal on Friday night.

We really enjoyed the fast service place right on the piazza, nothing fancy but we liked it and the servings were huge. For casual dining, choose from a comforting selection of Italian staples like handmade pizzas, sandwiches, salads, meats, cheese and fresh fruit at Sal's Market Deli™ Don't miss the little opera show from the balcony on the piazza also. We ate our food out there while listening one night.

At this stage of our life, we are also more of a dark side family. I just enjoy the nonrush of the place. It is much more of a true relaxing, yet fun, vacation. There is nothing relaxing about worrying about your next Fast pass that you have already worried about for 2 months.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

The only new Amex offers I've received so far have been for Nutrisystem, South Beach Diet, and the Yoga Outlet... I feel like Amex is trying to tell me something.

I got stuff like that too. And I’m a dietitian. I absolutely don’t need South Beach Diet stuff!

 

[apollodi]

I wondered about this too. There was a hotel in Iceland I couldn't get to come up even though others in the chain were on the portal. Found this article (a bit old), it doesn't seem promising for calling. Is the hotel available on Expedia? If so, you could wait until the Sapphire rollout (assumed you're using Sapphire portal?).

https://thepointsguy.com/2016/12/ultimate-rewards-for-any-hotel/

Loved Besalu and Girona. Enjoy!

Thanks! Yes, I'm using the CSR portal. Expedia is a good idea, but it only had the same hotel a couple minutes outside Besalu that was on the portal. But, looking at it, I might go with that one anyway since it looks nice. Booking.com has one in Besalu itself. Decisions decisions!

 

[1st*toright]

Well there you go. I still don't have Precheck (or Global Entry), so I line up with the plebs. I have all these cards that offer credits for it, but I keep putting it off. SMH.

You make me feel better that I haven't either...

No excuse, kiddos! It is kind of a pain to go do the interview, but it is SOOOOOOOOOO worth it.

My reluctant player 2 perked up when I mentioned that his next card might be an Amex Plat, which would mean he would have lounge access when traveling without me. Like many P2s, he's getting lured into cooperation by the perks!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

My CSP AF posted on 9/1 with the $95 due on 10/16. I called on 9/28 to pc it and it was it was done quickly, and the AF refunded by 10/1. So you have some time.

They will pc within hours, sometimes minutes. PCd CSP to CSR last week (10/26,) could see change online within an hour. On 10/28 CSP AF refund posted. No CSR AF yet and GE and travel credits were pending before charges for same even moved from pending to posted. Freaked me out a bit because when I looked in the pending UR section it said $300 travel credit used. I was like what we won’t get it until next year?! But then a day or two later, the travel charge posted and so did the credit.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Think I would need a reservation for Beaches and Cream for a lunch time? We had talked about going here a couple years ago. Beginning of March on a Sunday but hate to make reservations as not knowing how quick things go after landing. Wanted to check Jelly Rolls a couple years back but probably pass this round with little ones.

Yes it’s a tiny place and books up. I booked end of March at my 180 +10 and got ADRs but not the times I wanted.

 

[Haley R]

Yes it’s a tiny place and books up. I booked end of March at my 180 +10 and got ADRs but not the times I wanted.

I got a 4 pm time (I wanted closer to noon) but I couldn’t get anything else. I used the touring plans adr finder.

 

[Haley R]

Is there any way to use chase points for frontier flights? Or will we just have to pay for those out of pocket?

 

[tink1970]

No excuse, kiddos! It is kind of a pain to go do the interview, but it is SOOOOOOOOOO worth it.

Especially if you live near an airport that does it (cough cough @Lain).

I woke DD up at 4 am to fly to MIA for our interview (her photo was priceless) so even after that (she's like a rabid wombat in the am) I'd say it's worth it for precheck/global entry. Glad, though, she'll be an "adult" when it's time for her to renew it

 

[tink1970]

Yes it’s a tiny place and books up

When we went at the holidays, our time was something like 8:30. So we had Boma at 5, meandered over to BC around 8 and had dessert at B&C. Six of us demolished the kitchen sink while boring mom and SIL had vanilla. It was such a great time

 

[WVMomof3]

Yes it’s a tiny place and books up. I booked end of March at my 180 +10 and got ADRs but not the times I wanted.

And this is my beef with Disney. You have to decide over 6 months early when you want ice cream. Seriously??? I just think it is getting ridiculous, but clearly there are still many people who love it enough that they don't mind. Don't shun me people.

 

[Lain]

Especially if you live near an airport that does it (cough cough @Lain).

I woke DD up at 4 am to fly to MIA for our interview (her photo was priceless) so even after that (she's like a rabid wombat in the am) I'd say it's worth it for precheck/global entry. Glad, though, she'll be an "adult" when it's time for her to renew it

The last time I checked, the earliest one could schedule an interview was about 6 months out!

 

[Albort]

Is there any way to use chase points for frontier flights? Or will we just have to pay for those out of pocket?

you could... just not in the best redemption way.
1) redeem statement credit after u purchase your flight.
2) check chase portal travel section.

Alternatively, u can search other paths to get to LAX using UR points such as united metal or BA via AA metal.